Uribe wants a multi-year deal

If the Cardinals hope to land Juan Uribe, it's probably going to take a multi-year contract to get the job done.

Comcast Sports Network writer Mychael Urban said writes that Uribe has big eyes after seeing teammate Aubrey Huff land a two-year, $11-million deal. At the age of 32, Uribe wants more than an one-year deal, too.

The Giants, according to the report, seem more interested in a one-year pact at about $5 million. Urban's report said San Francicso is content to let Uribe shop offers. Interesting that they are so financially conservative with their utility players a year after they gave damaged multi-role player Mark DeRosa a multi-year deal to lure him from the Cardinals.

Uribe is apparently counting on the 24 homers he hit in 2010 to entice bidders. That's a bit of a suspect stat because he hit more longballs last year than his previous two seasons, combined. But he has hit 16 or more homers six times in his 10-year career and has driven in 68 or more runs five times. So he's shown that he has a pretty productive bat for a middle infielder.

I'm not opposed to the Cardinals handing Uribe a two-year deal if the dollars don't get outrageous. While he had to play a utility role for the Giants in 2010, he'll have a legitimate chance to be the starter at second, short or third for St. Louis as the roster is configured right now.

A $5 million per season contract might seem like a lot for a bench jockey. But it's not bad for a starter. And, even if he doesn't start all his games at one position, Uribe is likely to get starter playing time in St. Louis. Plus, by signing him, the Cardinals don't have to give away prospects or a first round draft choice.